Our Simple Guide For Iguana Care
Why do you need the guide for iguana care? Well, this is because when it comes to having the best exotic pet types that will become a unique pet of choice then iguanas are the best choice. If you are just looking for the best exotic pet to own then iguanas will be there among the most papular reptile. They are one of the most popular pet lizards for several reasons. They belong to South America and Central America.
If you want to own an iguana pet then keep in mind that they require strong commitment and a great level of care. You will need to fulfill their strict housing and feeding requirements. They can grow quite large. Also, they have a longer life span and can be very strong. Furthermore, you will need to understand that they are hard to tame exotic pets and if you didn’t handle them properly, they can be quite aggressive.
– Iguana Handling and Temperament
When it comes to iguana care then one should have in mind that they don’t like to be held too much in their hands, at least at the start. They don’t usually bite but if they are being handled excessively then they may get aggressive. Iguanas can be an intelligent and adaptive pet. They can become good pets with proper care. Unlike snakes and many other reptiles, an iguana pet is capable to identify its owner. If they get proper care, they will become quite affectionate toward their caretaker.
They can be the most rewarding exotic pet reptile ever. If you are reading this guide for iguana care then we assume that you aren’t just opting for one because they look cute. However, if this is so baby iguanas can be a pricey option. Also, it can be a little hard to get baby iguana food especially if you want only organic food for your pet iguana. The sad thing about these beautiful exotic reptiles is that people often dispose of them in the wild because they don’t have enough knowledge to take care of the. So make sure you can commit to taking care of them first.
– Ideal Cage Of Iguana Tank Setup?
Most iguana pet owners will be living in an area where they can set up an area to keep their pet iguana in an environment that mimics its natural environment. One of the best things could be an iguana enclosure. Because iguanas require a lot of UV exposure to grow so an outdoor enclosure would be a good idea. Even if you are unable to keep the iguanas in an outdoor space then you should provide them with a lot of space. Most of the time iguanas will require a small room to stay in a comfortable environment.
However, the enclosure should provide them with enough space and should have accurate iguana lighting options. So they can climb up and turn around easily. When it comes to iguana tank setup then an aquarium with the size of 20-gallon is adequate. If an iguana is kept in a good environment then their growth can be up to 6 feet in length and it may weigh up to 11 pounds. So consider the room size according to the height and length of the iguanas. An adult iguana tank setup should consist of at least 12 feet in length and 8 feet in height. You can add different materials such as mesh, plexiglass, and wood for the custom iguana tank setup. A regular glass tank may not have ventilation so it is better to avoid it.
Also, they are extremely humid and it may result in the overgrowth of mold and fungus. This can damage the iguana food as well. This is why they will require regular cleaning and airflow, Once you completed the cage or iguana tank setup then you will need to move toward the bunch of interactive toys. Choose some iguana-safe plants that will work as their hideout. Put some different shapes and sizes of branches. They should have different sizes and heights. Make sure that they don’t have any ectoparasites in them. Though there are ready-made iguana pet cages available you can’t rely on them. They aren’t large enough to let iguanas move freely.
Adding loose elements can add a realistic touch to the iguana cage setup. But they may add the disease risk in the tank setup along with the molding and more. If you cannot change the loose substrate then it can be a serious problem for iguanas. It is recommended to go for putting Repticarpet or paper towels on the bottom of your iguana’s tank or enclosure.
– Right Climate for Your Iguana
One of the major factors to make your iguana feel like they are in the right climate is the heat. Providing the right iguana lighting setup is a must. Lighting such as a heat bulb will keep the temperature of the iguana tank setup just right. Heats are the key factor in reptile growth and digestion. The normal temperature should be up to 90 °F to 105 °F. Don’t put the heat source in front of them and it should hang from above. They have the instinct to regulate their temperature through natural sensors on the top of their body.
Best Food For Iguanas
Food is an essential part of the guide for iguana care. When it comes to iguana food items then they one can easily fulfill their dietary requirements with natural raw food and iguana-formulated food available in supermarkets. Vegetables such as turnip greens, collard greens, dandelions, whole green beans, and yellow squash are one o the best food for iguanas. You should also provide them with fruit at least once a week.
Fruits as iguana food if given in low amounts can do wonders but if given daily then they can cause diarrhea in them. When it comes to preparing food for small iguanas then keep in mind that they are slightly different than adult iguanas. While cutting the raw veggies then cut them into small size pieces. This will make it easier for your iguana pet to pick up the food and swallow the whale.
Iguanas such as green ones cannot chew their food so they will need to swallow their whole food. Furthermore, you can even go for commercial food for iguanas as well. There is formulated iguana diet that is nutritionally sound and tastes better than what iguanas will love to eat. However, some commercial iguana food may be too dry for them. So moist it a little (read instructions before feeding) so iguanas can eat it easily. You can also add calcium supplements to their food at least once a week. Don’t give them food that is rich in protein as this will result in some fatal problems such as renal failure and cause death in iguanas.
We will also add the hibiscus plant to our guide for iguana care. Make sure they come in proper height so they look natural in the cage or iguana tank setup. They will not only act as the best food for iguanas but the iguanas can climb on them as well. Most of the gardens can provide you with these plants that you can buy anytime. But spray it with clean water before putting it because it will be sprayed with pesticide. Keep it outside after spraying for at least 10 days so it will be removed.
Bottom Line
Iguanas are cute reptile pets. However, owning them may require good knowledge about iguana care, iguana food, and iguana lighting knowledge so iguanas can stay and grow in a healthy environment. In our guide for iguana care, we included the most important aspects of iguana care. Make sure to follow it to become a knowledgeable pet owner who knows how to take care of exotic pets the way it is supposed to be.
